Rayment v. Mizner Park Venture

Summary

In this trial, Daniel Rayment claims to have suffered a traumatic brain injury after an elevator panel allegedly fell and hit him in the head. Rayment sues shopping mall owner Mizner Park, claiming that it did not provide proper maintenance.

Attorneys for Rayment argue that the ceiling panel composed the inner passenger area of the elevator, which Mizner Park was responsible for maintaining. The panel falling, they claim, showed that proper maintenance was not performed.

Mizner Park claims that this panel was part of the service hatch, as the latches that secured it were located on the outside of the elevator. By considering it out of the passenger area, Mizner Park's representatives assert that the manufacturer, Otis Elevator, failed in its duties to provide external maintenance.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $6 million.

Apportionment of fault:
Mizner Park: 70%
Otis Elevator: 30%